Several tours held in Western MA as part of Manufacturing Day

As part of the second annual Manufacturing Day, students from several area schools toured local manufacturing plants in Western Mass on Friday.

The industry is one that has continued to grow in recent years despite the struggling economy, which is why teachers like Nick Stevens who works at West Springfield High School say teaching students about the manufacturing industry is so important.

"Advanced manufacturing is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States right now so we want to make sure the kids know that that's an opportunity that's open to them," said Stevens.

Stevens took a group of students from West Springfield High School to Advanced Welding in West Springfield for a few hours Friday morning.

"What we are trying to do is get students to make connections with the business community early on so we can start to look at curriculum development and programs that can get the kids involved in advanced manufacturing," said Stevens.

Nine local tours, including the one to Advanced Welding, were held in the area throughout the day.

Manufacturing is a well-paid industry with many available career opportunities.

"Right now we are experiencing our fifth year of constant growth and the last five years have been a shaky economy, but for us - knock on wood - it's been good," said the President of Advanced Welding Christopher Kielb.

Kielb says it's important for him to break some of the old-school thoughts people might still have about the now high-tech industry.

"I do welding and people think of welding as a smoky, dirty, dingy type of trade as well as other types of manufacturing machining. But, as you can see, I have a quarter of a million dollar robot buzzing along behind us in the background and our shop is clean, well lit, and safe," said Kielb.

And, many of the students who attended said it was a good experience to see firsthand how the industry works.

"It's a way of us knowing what's around us, how it is made, how it's built," said West Springfield High School freshman Carlos Guzman.

Looking for Work? MGM Springfield may be your answer. On Monday, MGM Springfield announced more than 250 descriptions for positions job seekers can now apply for. But applicants better hurry, however. According to MGM Springfield is on pace to receive an average of about “40 applications per position.” Wanda Gispert, MGM Resort's Vice President, Talent & Workforce Development, said, "We need to fill many roles to deliver on the MGM Springfield experience. Emplo...More >

Looking for Work? MGM Springfield may be your answer. On Monday, MGM Springfield announced more than 250 descriptions for positions job seekers can now apply for. But applicants better hurry, however. According to MGM Springfield is on pace to receive an average of about “40 applications per position.” Wanda Gispert, MGM Resort's Vice President, Talent & Workforce Development, said, "We need to fill many roles to deliver on the MGM Springfield experience. Emplo...More >

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva (78) stands outside the tunnel alone during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the field during the national anthem for next weekend's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Angeliegha Stewart, 27, also faces a marijuana charge, after Monroe County detectives found conversations about deals when they searched her phone last month amid their investigation into the photos. (Monroe County District Attorney's Office)

A Pennsylvania funeral director has been charged with abusing corpses for allegedly taking cellphone pictures of the dead to "gross out" her friends and family.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office said a man who was charged with murder and other offenses following a deadly shooting and a two-county chase on Monday also tried, unsuccessfully, to run from deputies at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office said a man who was charged with murder and other offenses following a deadly shooting and a two-county chase on Monday also tried, unsuccessfully, to run from deputies at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

Richardson's statement came hours after an early-morning tweet from the President that stated, "The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!"

Richardson's statement came hours after an early-morning tweet from the President that stated, "The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!"

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva (78) stands outside the tunnel alone during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the field during the national anthem for next weekend's game against the Baltimore Ravens.